Man Charged With Murder in Dinnington

An 18-year-old man has been charged with the murder of teenager Leonne Weeks, who was found stabbed to death on a path.

Shea Peter Heeley is accused of killing the 16-year-old, whose body was found in the village of Dinnington, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Monday.

Heeley, of Doe Quarry Lane, Dinnington, will appear before magistrates in Sheffield on Saturday.

UPDATED 19th January

A woman, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender after a 16-year-old girl's body was found with multiple stab wounds in Rotherham, has been released on bail

The woman was bailed on Wednesday evening by officers investigating the death of Leonne Weeks, who was found dead on a path off Lordens Hill in Dinnington, Rotherham, by a member of the public at around 10.55am on Monday.

An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday evening remains in police custody after detectives were granted more time to question him, South Yorkshire Police said.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting incident number 256 of January 16.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

UPDATED 18th January 2017Police have named the teenage girl who died in Dinnington on Monday as Leonne Jade Weeks.

Leonne’s body was found by members of the public at about 10.55am on Monday, on a pathway just off Lordens Hill.

A murder investigation was subsequently launched and patrols stepped up in the area to provide reassurance to members of the public.

A post-mortem examination carried out yesterday (Tuesday 17 January), concluded that Leonne died as a result of multiple stab wounds.

T/Detective Chief Inspector Martin Tate, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: "Leonne’s family have had their entire lives turned upside down over the last couple of days and are utterly devastated.

“We are continuing to support Leonne’s family in any way that we can and have specially trained officers with them.

“I’d like to ask that their privacy is respected by the media as they try to come to terms with this information. I am grateful for the support we have received so far with the investigation and would continue to urge anyone within the local community who knows anything to come forward.”

A statement from Leonne’s family said: “We are devastated at the loss of our beautiful daughter and sister Leonne.

“She was very much loved and will be missed by all of us. We would ask that our privacy is respected at this difficult time and that we are allowed to grieve in private.”

An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder late on Monday evening currently remains in police custody.

Earlier today, detectives were granted an extension by the courts to the man’s custody while they continue with enquiries.

A 26-year-old woman arrested last night (Tuesday 17 January), on suspicion of assisting an offender, also remains in police custody at this time.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 256 of 16 January 2017.

You can also pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

UPDATED 18th January 2017, 11am

A second person's been arrested over the death of a teenager, whose body was found in an alleyway in Dinnington, near Rotherham.

A 26-year-old woman, from Dinnington, is being held on suspicion of assisting an offender.

She currently remains in custody.

At about 10.55am on Monday morning, police received reports that a body of a teenage girl had been found on a pathway, just off Lordens Hill in Dinnington.

Formal identification of the girl is expected to take place later today (Wednesday 18 January).

An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder also remains in police custody.

Anyone with information about the incident should call 101 quoting incident number 256 of 16 January 2017.

You can also give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

UPDATED 17th January 2017

Detectives investigating the death of a teenage girl in Rotherham have arrested a 18-year-old man in connection with her death.

The man, from Dinnington, was arrested last night (Monday 16 January) on suspicion of murder. He currently remains in custody being questioned by officers.

At about 10.55am yesterday morning, police received reports that members of the public had found a body on a pathway, just off Lordens Hill in Dinnington.

Police have since launched a murder investigation and remain keen to hear from anyone with information about the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Whittaker, said:“If you have any information about what happened, please come forward and pass that on to us. We have increased patrols in Dinnington at this time to provide reassurance to members of the community and I’d urge anyone who thinks they have any information, to please speak to an officer.

“While formal identification has not yet taken place, we are working closely with the family of a girl from Dinnington. We expect formal identification to take place over the coming days and I’d like to ask both members of the public and the media to please respect this family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time.”

If you have any information, please call 101 quoting incident number 256 of 16 January 2017.

UPDATED 16th January 2017

A 16-year-old girl has been found dead in suspicious circumstances

The teenager's body was discovered on a pathway in the Dinnington area of Rotherham on Monday.

South Yorkshire Police were called to the scene at about 10.55am after receiving reports from members of the public.

Superintendent Sarah Poolman said: "The investigation is in its very early stages, however we are treating the death as suspicious.

"To provide reassurance to the local community and wider general public, additional police patrols are in place and will continue over the coming days.

"I would urge anyone who believes they have information about the incident to please come forward.''

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 256 of January 16.